YESTERDAYS: Scituate, a mecca for huntsmen?

About 15 acres of bush pasture land, lying on the east side of the New Haven tracks between Scituate and Greenbush station, was swept by fire last week.

William Coleman of this town, who was very seriously injured in an accident in Chicago a month ago, is said to be rapidly recovering.

A chimney fire in the residence of Capt. George H. Brown on Otis Street caused considerable damage.

Thomas Kelley, 75, one of the oldest citizens of Scituate, was found dead late yesterday of heart disease in the Grand View Hotel, a summer hotel conducted by his wife and daughter, which was being placed in readiness for the reception of summer visitors.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters. He lived in Worcester many years, where he was employed as conductor on one of the old horse car lines.

Scituate is likely to become the Mecca next fall for all of those Eastern Massachusetts huntsman who love to “ride to hounds,” as well as kennel men, “hunter” breeders, noise bag followers, and just plain "fox hunters.” For various reasons, the Brunswick Fur Club does not desire to hold its annual October field day at Barre, as in former years, and Scituate appears to be the most desirable rendezvous that it has hit upon.

The plan is to charter the Cliff House, at North Scituate Beach, as a headquarters, and inquiry is being made to determine what stable and kennel facilities could be improvised to show for the horses and hounds near the “mountain” fox running territory.

May 8, 1914

Mrs. E.T. Bailey is spending a few days with her daughter, Mrs. Sargent.

Mrs. J. Frank Turner of Norwell has recently become a member of the Chief Justice Cushing Chapter, D.A.R.

Mrs. Carrie K. Kellogg, treasurer of the D.A.R. chapter of Scituate, has recently returned from Aiken S.C.

Mr. Waldo F. Bates, Jr. has been enjoying a vacation with his parents.

Acts of 1913 (Chapter 578): An Act Relative to the Carrying or Displaying of Certain Flags.

Section 1. No flags other than the national flag of the United States, or a state flag, the flags of a friendly foreign nation, or of the dependencies of such a nation, shall be carried in parade within this Commonwealth.

Section 2. No red or black flag, and no banner, ensign or sign having upon it any inscription opposed to organized government, which is sacrilegious or which may be derogatory to public morals shall be carried in parade within this Commonwealth.

Section 3. Whoever violates any provision of this act may be arrested without warrant and shall be punished for each offense by a fine of not more than $100 or by imprisonment in house of correction for not more than six months or by both fine and imprisonment. (Approved May 19, 1913.)

May 22, 1914

Interesting not for its size, but for the beauty of its procession, and for the distinctly neighborhood character, the May festival in plant exchange took place here on Saturday afternoon, May 9. The North Scituate Garden club of 18 members is responsible for this event, which was initiated a year ago and which the club proposes to repeat with variations annually.

First in order on the program, the procession of children escorted by the Boy Scouts, marched up the hill from the village corner to the open field where the May Queen was afterward enthroned and the various characters were presented to the Queen.

The characters included March and April Days, the Sun, Winds and Showers, Bees, Turtles, Frogs and Bunnies and the Spring Flowers. Then followed Robin Hood and his merry men, English Country Lasses, Mother Goose and many of her brood, with other friends of nursery days. The dance around the Maypole was followed by boys bearing decorative posters, announcing the plant exchange which the garden club members believed to be of practical value in helping to spread the home garden idea. All whether club members or not were invited to bring to the exchange any surplus seeds or plants left over from their own gardens. Anyone, whether a contributor or not, was welcomed to take such plans as she could use. Many plans that otherwise would be thrown away find, and the neighbors thus help each other in the making of their gardens.

May 29, 1914

Warren F. Freeman, Kimball building, who is developing the Allen Association property at Scituate, known as Jericho Beach, reports the sale of a lot of land on Hatherly Road, corner of Rockland Road, containing 4278 sq. feet, to Richmond W. Wells of Plymouth, who will build a cottage for occupancy.

Post 31, G.A.R., attended the services at the Baptist church on Sunday. An attractive order of service was arranged. The Rev. Galusha Anderson of Newton Centre, was the preacher of the day. He is a man 81 years of age but remarkably well preserved. He was pastor of the church in St. Louis, Mo., from 1858 1866, and was one of a band of men in that border city loyal to the flag, who with great difficulty succeeded in holding Missouri in the union.

Mr. Melvin Litchfield, one of our respected citizens, passed away at his late residence on May 25. He was born in Scituate September 28, 1822, thus having reached the advanced age of 91 years and eight months. Funeral services were held on Wednesday at 1 p.m. from his late residence.

Lawson Vickery was the winner in the contest for the toy automobile, which has been on exhibition in Mr. Ainslee’s store for some weeks.

— Compiled by John Galluzzo on behalf of the Scituate Historical Society